PHILADELPHIA — The Mets will look to a “ghost” from their past to get this NLDS started in the right manner on Saturday.
In a surprise move, Kodai Senga was named Friday as the Mets starting pitcher for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The Post had reported a day earlier that the Japanese right-hander was “in the conversation” for a roster spot this postseason round.
Senga has pitched only 5 ¹/₃ innings for the Mets this season and was removed from his most recent minor league rehab start two weeks ago with triceps tightness.
But following a live batting practice session in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in recent days and a subsequent bullpen session, he alerted team officials that he felt ready to contribute.
“I am definitely feeling good physically and able to control all my pitches,” Senga said through his interpreter. “There’s a line inside myself. If I can pass that threshold, I’m ready for a good weekend.”
Senga, with his ghost forkball all the rage, finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last year with a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 166 ¹/₃ innings, but was shut down almost immediately after reporting to spring training this season with a right shoulder strain.
Senga’s season debut didn’t occur until July 26, but he left that start with a high-grade left calf strain that took two months to rehab.
“We always had hopes,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But it’s been the whole year, and what made us feel comfortable with this decision was that he was the one wanting the baseball. And I think the only time we had that situation was when he faced the Braves [in July]. We’re pretty comfortable and excited to go and watch him pitch [Saturday].”
Mets officials were elusive about how deep into the game Senga might be allowed to work, but he is likely facing a 1-2 inning appearance as an opener.
Senga was scheduled to throw 35 pitches in his last rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse that was abbreviated by the triceps tightness.
But Senga wouldn’t say how deep into the game he might be comfortable going.
“I’m all in for whatever,” Senga said. “If they say 10 pitches, I’m all-in for 10 pitches. If they say 200, I’m in for 200.”
The Mets will have options for long relief behind Senga, including David Peterson and Tylor Megill (the latter of whom Mendoza acknowledged would be on the roster after he was excluded in the last round). Mendoza announced Luis Severino as the Game 2 starter.
Peterson recorded the save Thursday with a scoreless ninth inning in Milwaukee in the 4-2 victory that clinched the NL Wild Card Series.
Peterson said he was surprised to find out Senga would be starting the NLDS opener.
“I think everybody is glad to have him back, especially kind of the way the first time around this season went with him and only having him for the one start,” Peterson said. “It’s another elite arm we have at our disposal and I am excited to watch him compete.”
Mendoza said discussions about Senga potentially pitching in the NLDS began before Wednesday’s Game 2 in Milwaukee, but the Mets had to concentrate on winning that series before getting too serious about the Phillies.
“We listened to what he needed to say,” Mendoza said. “It wasn’t an easy decision before we talked to him. He put it out there for us and then that is when we started, ‘OK, what’s it going to look like?’ And then talking to him face to face [Friday], he makes us feel really good about it.”
PHILADELPHIA — The Mets have opened the NLDS with a stunner.
Kodai Senga, who has pitched in one game this season and who strained his calf in that July 26 outing, is getting the ball.
Manager Carlos Mendoza announced the shocker on Friday at Citizens Bank Park, where the Mets and Phillies will begin the NLDS on Saturday.
“We’ll see,” Mendoza asked of what he expects from Senga. “We’re gonna let it play out. He’s been in Florida throwing, facing hitters. We have a plan, but we’re gonna go out there and watch him closely and go from there. But he’s ready to go.”
Senga will not be stretched out as a normal starter and could pitch for an inning or two before giving way to a longer option such as David Peterson or Tylor Megill.
Senga approached the Mets on Wednesday, Mendoza said, and essentially announced he was ready.
